CBSE offers grace marks to students if any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and miss out by one mark or so. The passing marks in the exam are 33%. Read here for more details on grace marks in CBSE Class 12.
Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12
The Central Board of Secondary Education has the provision of awarding grace marks to students under certain circumstances. According to CBSE, the passing marks in Class 12 are 33%. If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and misses out by one mark or so, then the board awards grace marks to students. This is done so that no student fails due to a small margin. Recently, CBSE has found itself at the centre of controversy for setting a difficult and lengthy Physics paper. This has sparked a massive national debate involving educators, parents, and legal intervention.
Educators, parents, and students have urged CBSE to maintain leniency while checking the CBSE Class 12 Physics paper. They also demanded grace marks as the paper was tough. However, the board till date has not issued any notice related to awarding grace marks for the difficult Physics paper. Read below for more details on grace marks in CBSE Class 12.
- What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12?
- CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy
- Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12 2026: Check Passing Criteria
- CBSE Class 12th Grace Marks 2026: How can Apply for Compartment?
- CBSE 12th Result 2026
What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12?
Students must secure 33% to pass CBSE Class 12 exam. In cases where a candidate narrowly misses this by a mark or two, the board awards grace marks at their discretion. There are also provisions for awarding grace marks if errors are identified in the question paper. Grace marks in CBSE Class 12 are also considered when questions are excessively difficult, outside the prescribed syllabus, or if the paper is unusually lengthy.
Also Read: CBSE Class 12 Result 2026
Commonly asked questions
The passing marks in CBSE Class 12 are 33%. In case candidates fail to achieve this by one mark, the grace marks are given to students. Students said that the Physics paper was tough and they demand grace marks for this paper. However, there is no update from CBSE regarding this.
According to CBSE, the passing marks in Class 12 are 33%. If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and misses out by one mark or so, then the board awards grace marks to students.
Grace marks in CBSE Class 12 is also considered when questions are excessively difficult, outside the prescribed syllabus, or if the paper is unusually lengthy.
CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy
In Theory and Practice, students are required to secure 33% separately. For eg: If any student secures 32 marks instead of 33, they are given grace marks to pass the exam. This completely depends on the board. The stream-wise CBSE Class 12 passing marks are explained below.
Science
| Subject | Marks in Theory | Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment | Passing Marks for Theory Exam | Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing marks of Physics Class 12 |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| Chemistry |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| Maths passing marks Class 12 |
80 |
20 |
26 |
6 |
| Biology |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| English Core |
80 |
20 |
23 |
6 |
Commerce
| Subject | Marks in Theory | Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment | Passing Marks for Theory Exam | Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| Accountancy |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| Economics |
80 |
20 |
26 |
6 |
| Maths |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
Arts
| Subject | Marks in Theory | Marks in Practical and Internal Assessment | Passing Marks for Theory Exam | Passing Marks for Internal Assessment/Practical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology |
80 |
20 |
26 |
6 |
| Political Science |
80 |
20 |
26 |
6 |
| Psychology |
70 |
30 |
23 |
9 |
| History |
80 |
20 |
26 |
6 |
Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12 2026: Check Passing Criteria
Candidates will be eligible to get the pass certificate if they get a grade higher than E in all subjects of internal assessment, unless they are exempted. Failing this, the result of the external examination will be withheld but not for a period of more than one year. They need to obtain this grade in all five subjects of external examination in the main or at the compartmental examinations.
The pass marks in each subject of the external examination is 33%. In case of a subject involving practical work, a candidate must obtain 33% marks in theory and 33% marks in practical separately, in addition to 33% marks in aggregate in order to qualify in that subject.
Commonly asked questions
A candidate failing in one of the five subjects of external examination is placed in a compartment in that subject, provided they qualify in all the subjects of internal assessment.
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CBSE Class 12th Grace Marks 2026: How can Apply for Compartment?
A candidate failing in one of the five subjects of external examination is placed in a compartment in that subject, provided they qualify in all the subjects of internal assessment.
CBSE 12th Result 2026
CBSE Class 12 result 2026 will be announced soon. The link to check it will be activated at cbse.gov.in. Students can check their results by logging with the required details. The process to download result is given below.
- Visit the board's website
- Click the '12th Class Result CBSE' link
- Enter the required details
- Result appears on the screen
- Download and save it
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